Grants to benefit local nonprofit organizations

Published: Wednesday, December 19, 2012 at 7:00 p.m.

Last Modified: Wednesday, December 19, 2012 at 7:00 p.m.

Local groups are among the 38 nonprofit organizations that will benefit from $500,000 in grants from the Greater New Orleans Foundation.

The Dulac Community Center, the Ochsner Health System, which includes Ochsner St. Anne General Hospital in Raceland, Catholic Charities and the Second Harvest Food Bank of Greater New Orleans and Acadiana are of some of the beneficiaries of the Impact Program.

The program is the Greater New Orleans Foundation’s largest discretionary grants program. In partnership with donors, the foundation invests in nonprofit programs in four categories: arts and culture, education, health and human services, and youth development.

“Impact 2012 allows us to identify and invest in the best nonprofit organizations in the region,” said Albert Ruesga, president and CEO for the Greater New Orleans Foundation. “These nonprofit leaders are working tirelessly to make this a thriving community for all. Their contributions add tremendously to the health and vibrancy of our region.”

John Silver, director of the Dulac Community Center, said his nonprofit received the full award of $23,760 the center requested. The average grant size was $20,000.

The money will be used toward the center’s operating expenses. The center, which is celebrating its 80th anniversary this year, receives no government money and relies on private donations and grants.

The goal is to serve 1,000 people through some of its more popular programs. One of the most popular is the center’s mission program that brings in volunteers from all over the country to do hurricane recovery and other needed repairs to homes in the community.

The center also provides after-school tutoring and distributes food and other household commodities to families in need.

The review process for the grant was rigorous. The foundation received 200 letters of interest from organizations looking to apply for the grants.

The application review process included a foundation staff site visit, a careful study of all the organization’s financial information and a review by the foundation’s grants committee.

“These are tough economic times for many of our area’s nonprofits,” said Ellen Lee, Greater New Orleans Foundation senior vice president of programs. “In addition to financial support, Impact grantees are supported throughout the year with networking opportunities, communications assistance and investments of time by the foundation staff.”

Nikki Buskey can be reached at 857-2205 or nicole.buskey@houmatoday.com.

<p>Local groups are among the 38 nonprofit organizations that will benefit from $500,000 in grants from the Greater New Orleans Foundation.</p><p>The Dulac Community Center, the Ochsner Health System, which includes Ochsner St. Anne General Hospital in Raceland, Catholic Charities and the Second Harvest Food Bank of Greater New Orleans and Acadiana are of some of the beneficiaries of the Impact Program.</p><p>The program is the Greater New Orleans Foundation's largest discretionary grants program. In partnership with donors, the foundation invests in nonprofit programs in four categories: arts and culture, education, health and human services, and youth development.</p><p>“Impact 2012 allows us to identify and invest in the best nonprofit organizations in the region,” said Albert Ruesga, president and CEO for the Greater New Orleans Foundation. “These nonprofit leaders are working tirelessly to make this a thriving community for all. Their contributions add tremendously to the health and vibrancy of our region.”</p><p>John Silver, director of the Dulac Community Center, said his nonprofit received the full award of $23,760 the center requested. The average grant size was $20,000.</p><p>The money will be used toward the center's operating expenses. The center, which is celebrating its 80th anniversary this year, receives no government money and relies on private donations and grants.</p><p>The goal is to serve 1,000 people through some of its more popular programs. One of the most popular is the center's mission program that brings in volunteers from all over the country to do hurricane recovery and other needed repairs to homes in the community.</p><p>The center also provides after-school tutoring and distributes food and other household commodities to families in need.</p><p>The review process for the grant was rigorous. The foundation received 200 letters of interest from organizations looking to apply for the grants. </p><p>The application review process included a foundation staff site visit, a careful study of all the organization's financial information and a review by the foundation's grants committee. </p><p>“These are tough economic times for many of our area's nonprofits,” said Ellen Lee, Greater New Orleans Foundation senior vice president of programs. “In addition to financial support, Impact grantees are supported throughout the year with networking opportunities, communications assistance and investments of time by the foundation staff.”</p><p>Nikki Buskey can be reached at 857-2205 or nicole.buskey@houmatoday.com.</p>